Short answer: the JBL Charge Essential ranks #68 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $73.99; the Tribit Stormbox 2 ranks #80 at $70. Close enough in price that the sound-quality gap is the deciding factor.
What the JBL Charge Essential gets right: Doubles as a power bank. The tradeoff: Less clarity than the Flip 4, highs rolled off.
What the Tribit Stormbox 2 offers: A little better sounding than the Stormbox 1, less of a rolled off treble. Set against that: Drivers on the side, so it will have a rolled off treble listening to it face on.
Buy the JBL Charge Essential if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Tribit Stormbox 2 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge Essential | Tribit Stormbox 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $73.99 | $70 |
| Ranked | #68 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #80 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) | - |
| Power Input | Micro USB | - |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs / 770 g | 1.3 lbs / 593 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.3 |
| Drivers | 2x 50mm fullrange | 2x 48mm fullrange |
| Dimensions | 8.4" x 3.5" x 3.4" (213 x 89 x 87 mm) | 7.1" x 2.7" x 2.7" (180 x 69 x 69 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 20W RMS | 34W RMS |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes |
| Aux Latency | - | 200ms |
| Built in Microphone | - | Yes |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 400ms AAC, 400ms SBC |
| Max Volume | - | 99dB |
| Stereo | - | No (front/rear drivers) |
| TWS | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- JBL Charge 3 vs Tribit Stormbox Flow
- JBL Charge 3 vs Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3
- JBL Charge 3 vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4
- JBL Flip 4 vs JBL Charge Essential
- Sony ULT Field 1 vs Tribit Stormbox 2
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Charge Essential: $73.99 Amazon
Pros: Doubles as a power bank. IPX7 rated. Supports true wireless stereo pairing with a second Charge Essential.
Cons: Less clarity than the Flip 4, highs rolled off. An overpriced rebranded Charge 3 for people who want stereo sound.
Full JBL Charge Essential review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.4" x 3.5" x 3.4" (213 x 89 x 87 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 20W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs / 770 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Flossy Carter: JBL Charge 5 vs JBL Charge 4 vs JBL Charge Essential More from FlossyCarter →
- Techder Audios: JBL EXTREME 3 VS JBL CHARGE ESSENTIAL More from techderaudios →
- The Tech Files: JBL CHARGE ESSENTIAL VS CHARGE ESSENTIAL 2 COMPARATIVO AMBIENTE EXTERNO
- Reddit Search for JBL Charge Essential Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Charge Essential vs JBL Charge 3
- JBL Charge Essential vs JBL Charge 2
- JBL Charge Essential vs JBL Flip Essential
- JBL Charge Essential vs Klipsch Nashville
- JBL Charge Essential vs Sonos Roam 2
- JBL Charge Essential vs Sony XB23
- JBL Charge Essential vs Sonos Roam
- JBL Charge Essential vs JBL Flip 4
- See all 27 comparisons
Tribit Stormbox 2: $70 Amazon
Pros: A little better sounding than the Stormbox 1, less of a rolled off treble. Keep Xbass on for best frequency response.
Cons: Drivers on the side, so it will have a rolled off treble listening to it face on.
Full Tribit Stormbox 2 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Latency | 200ms |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 400ms AAC, 400ms SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.1" x 2.7" x 2.7" (180 x 69 x 69 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 48mm fullrange |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Output Power | 34W RMS |
| Party Mode | No |
| Stereo | No (front/rear drivers) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 593 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Oluv Patreon: Tribit Stormbox 2 - sound test More from Oluv’Sone →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox 2 - wow is this deliberate? 🤔 More from alanrossreviews →
- Storytripper HD: Tribit Micro 2 vs Tribit STormBox 2 vs Tribit StormBox Mini More from storytripperhd →
- Reddit Search for Tribit Stormbox 2 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Tribit Stormbox 2 vs Soundcore 2
- Tribit Stormbox 2 vs Tribit Xsound Surf
- Tribit Stormbox 2 vs LG Xboom Grab
- Tribit Stormbox 2 vs Tribit Xsound Go
- Tribit Stormbox 2 vs Treblab HD77
- Tribit Stormbox 2 vs Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3
- Tribit Stormbox 2 vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4
- Tribit Stormbox 2 vs Sony ULT Field 1
- See all 27 comparisons